BMW MAKES GREAT CARS IN TERMS OF DRIVING, but they don't really put it all in designing the sound system, since most of the focus is on the driving dynamics. The bimmers i have driven, they sound up to date like the base system in say a nissan maxima or toyota camary, but thats pretty much it. The premium sound isnt worth it, and Paying upwards of 4K for the B O sound just seems like a waste, since you can order other important options like better seats or m-sport.

One interesting note though, is that the ML systems, as someone pointed out are of the paper cone variety, so translation there really bad quality. However Since the setup of the soundsystem is designed by acoustic engineers from ML (as in placement of speakers, subs, tweaters and etc), they make up for the product quality being sub par. Thus you get the best sound system out there for relatively good price.

The Lexus SC was a two door convertible, its really hard to offer systems that sound good on convertibles or even coupes (the neighbors Z has 2 speakers thats it).

Why does this matter?
CAUSE EVERY TIME someone says Lexus has better build quality, one should consider what Toyota their Lexus Engine and chassis platform comes out of and how long that part has been tested in the real world!